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Blocked! Feds could usurp Florida’s new abortion law

The federal government and Florida may be on a collision course over a new state law seeking to ban Medicaid funding for services at clinics that offer abortions, such as those run by Planned Parenthood, according to a News Service of Florida story.

The federal government has prohibited such bans on Medicaid funding when such laws have been put into place in other states, said Elizabeth Nash of the Guttmacher Institute, which researches abortion issues and supports abortion rights.

“You cannot exclude a provider from Medicaid because you don’t like the services they provide,” Nash said.

Florida has already been put on notice by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the News Service reports.

The agency notified Gov. Rick Scott administration, “reminding them of the state’s obligation to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries continue to have access to services provided by any willing provider,” according to a CMS spokeswoman.

While only government-funded abortions can be obtained through extreme circumstances, women can obtain other medical services through Medicaid, the News Service reports. Indiana tried to do the same thing in 2011 and found it could not.

One of the sponsors – Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland – said they were aware that the state would have to apply to the federal government for a waiver.

“We knew that,” Burton said. “And we’ve said it in committees — I’ve said it on the floor of the House — that we are aware that this portion of the bill requires a waiver from the federal government.”

Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz would not confirm that the administration was considering requesting a waiver.

“The bill doesn’t take effect until July 1, and we’re working with our agencies on it, and looking at our options,” Schutz said.